Boisot's I-space is used as a framework to explain the comparative success of computer-based tools in information scanning and dissemination, and the failure to support problem areas in the process of knowledge creation, especially where this involves interactions within user groups. Recent research indicates that process-based studies are likely to be productive, and that there is a useful overlap between information science and computer science interests and methods.
Information provided by the vendors of nine text based package systems is presented in a standard format. Features which are now generally accepted as ‘necessary’ are identified, and the areas of difference between the various package systems are discussed. Criteria are proposed for package selection by prospective users. The packages are ADP/3RIP, ASSASSIN 6, BASIS, CAIRS, DECO, DOCU/MASTER, INFOText, SEARCH and STATUS.
A project to develop a national academic union catalogue for the 49 universities and major teacher training colleges of Indonesia has completed its design stages, and procurement of software and computing equipment will follow. The operational centre, will share a site in Dépok with the University of Indonesia. Early phases of implementation will concentrate on the 12 Discipline Service Centres where expertise and resources are concentrated in centres of excellence for selected subjects, to enable all students and researchers to share in this investment. In the course of the design studies, an examination was made of the library automation needs of a major university, Universitas Gadjah Mada, to ensure compatibility between national plans and end user requirements in library automation as a whole. The use of CD‐ROM is proposed as a distribution medium for the union catalogue of at least 500,000 titles. Pilot studies will be made in parallel with retrospective conversion of existing catalogues, to check out CD‐ROM production routes and explore approaches to subject indexing using multiple schemes and in several languages.
System designers concerned with bibliographic storage and retrieval systems have, in the past, followed one of three approaches — simple data structures, with the handling of the inherent complexity of bibliographic data embedded in the programs; free text (inverse file) systems of which the ‘online database’ systems may be seen as a specialised extension; and structured database (DBMS) methods, of which some MARC systems are a special subset. The form of storage of the bibliographic data affects not only the efficiency of retrieval by various fields of the record, but also the space used in storage, the cost of maintenance and addition of new material, and especially, the nature of the retrieval language and the flexibility of response to users' needs. The choice of design approach involves study of each proposed application, and guidelines are offered for consideration in matching functional requirements with the varying strengths and weaknesses of the software techniques. Hybrid database structures offering both free text and DBMS features are becoming acceptable, at least for small systems, and the likely paths for future development are noted.
A requirement has been recognised for some time for database software which provides both formatted data and free text management facilities. Applications in storage and retrieval of accounting data of market research presentations, and of catalogues of books, maps, drawings, and engineering components are identified. A joint development project between British Telecom New Information Services and Oracle Corporation UK Ltd will add text features to the established ORACLE relational database, and the scope of this system and the design approaches chosen are described.
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